Canine diabetes, how does this disease affect your dog?

Dogs, just like humans, can also suffer from diabetes. This disease causes your furry friend's inability to produce or use, in whole or in part, insulin: a hormone produced by the pancreas and that allows the cells to take the glucose present in the blood and use it for the proper functioning of the body. In this way, if your dog suffers from canine diabetes he will not have the ability to take advantage of the sugar in food, something essential for the proper functioning of all his organs.

Taking advantage of the fact that November 14 is World Diabetes Day, we want to shed some light on this disease so that you know its symptoms, dangers and risk factors.

What happens to your dog when he has diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the glucose levels of both humans and animals and is one of their main sources of energy. Glucose is obtained through food and the reserves that our body stores. Therefore, if your dog suffers from canine diabetes, it will mean that he has a blood glucose level that is too high - hyperglycemia - or too low - hypoglycemia - either because his body does not produce enough insulin - type 1 diabetes - or because the blood cells your body does not use it correctly -type 2 diabetes-.

In most cases, it is a chronic disease and its development will cause a significant disorder in your dog's metabolism, so being attentive to its symptoms and carrying out careful monitoring will be essential to make a correct diagnosis and avoid any complications. future.

What symptoms does diabetes have in dogs?

• Excessive urine production: if you notice that your furry companion has more urges to urinate than normal, it could be one of the warning signs that he suffers from canine diabetes. When a dog has a higher than normal blood sugar level, it will have to eliminate this excess through the kidney and it will do so with large amounts of water.

• Increased thirst and water intake: your dog will feel much thirstier than normal and this will come from the previous need to eliminate glucose through urine, with the consequent loss of water.

• Increased appetite: the distribution of energy in your dog's body will not be done correctly, so he will become increasingly hungry. Blood glucose does not reach the cells properly, so your dog will suffer from a lack of energy that will translate into a greater need to eat food.

• Weight reduction: as in the previous case, poor blood glucose management can lead to weight loss because your friend's body will try to obtain the energy resources it lacks from its own body. .

• Other symptoms: if your dog suffers other alterations such as changes in behavior, muscle contractions, anxiety, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, urine infection or inflammation in parts of the body such as the head or neck, do not hesitate to go to your doctor. trusted veterinarian since they can also be symptoms of canine diabetes.

Detect the disease early and avoid complications

Diabetes in dogs, if not identified and treated in time, can have serious consequences, since the functioning of basic organs would begin to fail, causing, for example, loss of vision - with cataracts or blindness -; poor kidney function - with urine infections and kidney failure; or dehydration, fainting and vomiting, which could end up causing you to fall into a coma.

Risk factors for your dog to be diabetic

You may wonder what the most common risk factors in dogs are. Although it can affect dogs of any age, breed or sex, some of the main causes responsible for the appearance of this disease are the following:

• Overweight: Obese or overweight dogs have a much higher risk of suffering from diabetes throughout their lives. That is why it will be essential that you take care of its diet with feed made with natural and fresh products and whose composition provides a complete and balanced recipe for your dog, such as the ranges of dog food offered by Dibaq Petcare .

• Age: the dogs most likely to suffer from diabetes are over 7 or 8 years old, so it is a disease that occurs much more in older and middle-aged dogs.

• Race: regarding races there are no very clear conclusions. Although it seems that genetics is directly involved in the condition, various studies indicate that some breeds are more likely to suffer from this disease, such as Samoyeds, Pinschers, Chow Chows, Beagles or Schnauzers, among others.

• Sex: Another factor to take into account is your furry friend's sex. It seems that cases of canine diabetes occur in greater numbers in females than in males, especially when they are at an advanced age.

Clinical tests and monitoring, your allies

If it turns out that your furry friend suffers from canine diabetes, you should know that his life expectancy and day-to-day life can be the same as that of any other healthy dog as long as he follows proper care. But be careful! The first six months of treatment will be key, as insulin therapy begins and glucose levels will be regulated.

You will both have to get used to your new life since the treatment for a diabetic dog will be chronic. But with proper monitoring and care you won't notice the difference. Insulin therapy, a healthy diet, weight control and exercise will be essential so that your dog's disease is controlled and he does not suffer cases of extreme blood sugar levels.

Contact us so we can recommend the most appropriate foods if your dog suffers from any type of food sensitivity.

And continue enjoying together!